Dwight Howard Still Doesnt Get It

By Jamieson Welsh

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

After a road loss on Monday night to the Chicago Bulls, Dwight Howard, who didn’t play very well, went to the media with a copy of the box score and start complaining about shots. Howard hasn’t fully grasped what it takes to be a leader or be held accountable for his actions.

A huge knock on Howard coming from Orlando was that he was immature, and he didn’t take basketball serious;y enough. Following all the drama from last season and into the off-season, Howard still hasn’t learned or fully grasped some of the changes he needs to make as a player and as a person.

During his introductory press conference as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the things he was pushing and preaching was becoming a better leader. He was going to learn from Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant on how to lead a team. Obviously he either hasn’t paid attention to those two guys or he just doesn’t care.

As a player Howard is trying to be a player he isn’t. His strength isn’t his back to the basket game on offense, he is more of a guy who needs to get the ball on the move and use his quickness and agility to beat the opposing centers to the rim. Looking at Howard as a member of the Lakers, he is the same guy that played for the Orlando Magic, except now he has back and shoulder injuries.

If the Lakers were smart they would listen to offers for him and if someone blows them away they should take the deal. There’s no guarantee his back will ever be 100% or that he matures into a guy you can put as the face of a major franchise like the Lakers.